Former British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson is facing a Conservative Party investigation over a column comparing women who wear face-covering veils to mailboxes and bank robbers.
The party has received complaints that the comments breach its code of conduct, and under Conservative rules they must be investigated by an independent panel. Possible penalties include expulsion from the party.
The party confirmed it had received complaints but declined to give details today, saying that the process is confidential.
The Conservative code of conduct says members should "lead by example to encourage and foster respect and tolerance."
Johnson, who quit the government last month in a dispute over Brexit, wrote in the Daily Telegraph this week that it was "absolutely ridiculous that people should choose to go around looking like letter boxes."